ROME, July 5 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Untreated wastewater from cities is used to irrigate 50 percent more farmland worldwide than previously thought, leaving some 885 million people exposed to the risk of diseases, including diarrhoea and cholera, a study said on Wednesday.
From phys.org: The use of untreated wastewater from cities to irrigate crops downstream is 50 percent more widespread than previously thought, according to a new study published this week in the journal Environmental Research Letters.
Clean water supplies are dwindling around the globe. To grow their crops, farmers resort to using untreated wastewater, which could make them sick - to an even greater extent than previously thought, a study finds.
The global use of untreated wastewater from cities to irrigate crops is much more widespread than previously estimated, says a new report. According to this updated assessment, nearly 30 million hectares are now using untreated water within 40km of an urban centre.
In many parts of the world, the use of untreated wastewater for irrigation is more common than originally thought, exposing 884 million consumers to health risks. The study calls for urgent investment in improved sanitation and management.
A panel of experts, including Katharina Felgenhauer who works on WLE's Resource Recovery and Reuse work, shared some ideas of how thirsty industries, such as textiles and agriculture, can save water during a live chat with the Guardian development professionals network.
Many regions in the world, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, south and south-east Asia, South America and the Caribbean suffer from water scarcity, which can impact economic growth and political security. A panel of experts discuss how the private sector can help mitigate the problem by using water more efficiently.
The JVL Fortifer Compost Plant was opened in Ghana on May 11, 2017 to help the city of Accra recycle its waste while producing a safe nutrient-rich fertilizer for food production.
A new network will provide information and guidance to cities around the world on how to create more resilient and sustainable food systems in urban centers.
IWMI received a commendation from the Government of Ghana for its contribution to incorporating organic fertilizers into the government's Fertilizer Subsidy Programme.